Ajax’s transfer strategy under fire after European setback
Ajax’s latest European disappointment has intensified questions about the club’s direction, with television pundits René van der Gijp and Johan Derksen criticising the summer recruitment drive and the influence given to technical director Jordi Cruyff. Speaking on Vandaag Inside, the pair argued that Ajax’s new-look squad has yet to resemble a coherent team after a damaging defeat to Hajduk Split in the Conference League.
The criticism comes at a moment when expectations around Ajax had begun to rise. Just a few months earlier, the Amsterdam club’s activity had prompted optimism among supporters and commentators. But the performance against Hajduk has revived concerns about whether the signings fit together, whether the team has enough experience, and whether the club’s decision-making structure is equipped to make difficult corrections.
From renewed optimism to doubts over Ajax’s new squad
Presenter Wilfred Genee referred to journalist Valentijn Driessen’s description of Ajax as a “ragtag bunch,” a characterisation Van der Gijp said he could understand. The former footballer recalled that the mood around the club had been very different earlier in the summer, when many believed Ajax were building towards a successful campaign.
Van der Gijp said the arrival of several new players did not immediately convince him. He recognised only a handful of the recruits, including goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, midfielder Julian Brandt and striker Tolu Arokodare. The rest, he suggested, would need to prove their value on the pitch before he could judge whether they were suitable for Ajax.
That uncertainty has become more pronounced following the European defeat. New signings can need time to settle, particularly when they arrive from different leagues and must adapt to a new coach, tactical system and dressing room. But for a club with Ajax’s ambitions, supporters will expect the recruitment plan to produce more than a collection of individual names. The challenge is to create balance: players must complement one another, understand their roles and deliver consistently under pressure.
Questions over Joffre Torrents’ first start
One decision that surprised Van der Gijp was the choice to start 18-year-old left-back Joffre Torrents for the first time in such a demanding fixture. Giving a young player senior opportunities can be an important part of Ajax’s identity, and the club has a long history of developing emerging talent. However, a debut in a high-stakes European match can place considerable pressure on a teenager, especially when the team around him is still finding its shape.
The discussion was not simply about Torrents’ age. It raised a broader question about how Ajax are balancing youth and experience. Developing young footballers is central to the club’s model, but prospects generally benefit from clear support, stable partnerships and experienced teammates who can help them navigate difficult moments. When results are poor, questions about selection and preparation naturally become louder.
Jordi Cruyff’s authority draws comparison with Mislintat era
For Van der Gijp, the most puzzling issue is the amount of authority Cruyff has been granted. He compared the current arrangement with Ajax’s previous experience under Sven Mislintat, whose influence over recruitment became a major source of controversy. Van der Gijp questioned why the club would give one figure such extensive control after a period in which concentrated decision-making had produced serious concerns.
Derksen agreed, arguing that Cruyff’s famous surname should not be mistaken for proof of his suitability for a powerful executive role. He acknowledged the achievements of Jordi’s father, Johan Cruyff, but said the son must be assessed on his own record. In Derksen’s view, Cruyff has not yet demonstrated enough to justify the level of responsibility he appears to hold at Ajax.
The debate points to a wider issue for the club: how much power should rest with a single technical leader, and what checks should be in place? A strong football director can provide a consistent strategy across recruitment, coaching and youth development. Yet a robust structure also needs experienced colleagues who can challenge decisions, identify weaknesses and ensure that short-term choices serve the club’s longer-term plans.
Transfer questions: Tsygankov and Amrabat under scrutiny
Van der Gijp also questioned whether Ajax recruited the right type of winger in Viktor Tsygankov. He argued that the team needed a player who regularly attacks space behind opposing defenders, but claimed Tsygankov prefers receiving the ball to feet. That difference matters tactically: a side can dominate possession yet struggle to create clear chances if its forwards do not stretch the opposition or make penetrating runs.
There is, of course, more than one way to play on the wing. A technically skilled player who comes short can help build attacks and combine with overlapping full-backs. But the recruitment only makes sense if the coach’s system provides the movement and width needed to balance those tendencies. Ajax’s challenge is to show that the squad has been assembled with a clear tactical purpose rather than simply adding players who are individually capable.
Sofyan Amrabat also received a mixed assessment. Derksen described the midfielder as average, while Van der Gijp acknowledged his physical strength but called him limited as a footballer. Amrabat’s experience and ability to compete in midfield could offer useful protection, especially in demanding matches. At the same time, Ajax need midfielders who can contribute to progression and control, not only win physical duels. His role and the players around him will be important in determining whether he can provide the right balance.
Míchel Sánchez appointment faces an early test
Derksen was similarly sceptical about the appointment of coach Míchel Sánchez, suggesting that Cruyff had brought in a familiar Spanish connection. He stressed that he would welcome a successful spell, but argued that the early evidence had not yet convinced him. Derksen also questioned the coach’s knowledge of Dutch football, an important consideration at a club where the expectations, playing traditions and pressure from supporters are distinctive.
Adapting to a new league takes time, and one defeat does not define a coach’s ability. Still, Ajax’s manager must quickly establish a recognisable style and make the new signings work as a unit. That includes deciding how the team will progress the ball, create space for its attackers and defend transitions when possession is lost.
What comes next for Ajax?
Ajax now face a significant test of both performance and leadership. The coming matches will offer a clearer indication of whether the squad can respond to the European setback and whether Cruyff’s recruitment strategy is beginning to take shape. Supporters will be looking for greater cohesion, sharper movement in attack and more assurance from a team that has undergone extensive change.
Any football prediction about Ajax’s season remains uncertain while the new group is still settling. The club has the resources, reputation and talent to recover, but optimism will depend on visible progress rather than names or expectations alone. For Cruyff and Sánchez, the priority is to turn a collection of new arrivals into a balanced side—and to show that Ajax’s current direction can deliver results as well as promise.
